​Snake-handling preacher dies from bite after refusing anti-venom

A Kentucky preacher and reality TV star, whose sermons involved handling of deadly snakes, has died from a snake bite. He refused medical treatment, because he relied on God’s protection to save him from the venom.

Pastor Jamie Coots was found dead at about 10pm EST on Saturday
at his house in Middlesboro, Kentucky, local police reported
Sunday.

Coots was reportedly bitten on his right hand by a rattlesnake at
his church, Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name, Middlesboro
Chief of Police Jeffrey Sharpe reported. Emergency workers were
called, but the preacher went home before they reached the
church.

The medics went to Coots’ house and spent some 30 minutes
attempting to persuade him to accept treatment. However his faith
included the conviction that God would protect any true believer
from snake venom, so he refused medical aid.

"Everybody that knows Mr. Coots knows what his belief is, and
he had no intention of going to the hospital," Sharpe said.

The 42-year-old was found dead by emergency workers, who returned
some 60 minutes after departure, police said.

"I liked him a lot. I don't agree with his interpretation,
but you just have to have a tremendous amount of respect for his
determination to follow his beliefs. I mean that's what he
believed and he would not step away from it," Sharpe said.

The pastor's son Cody Coots said while the family is in shock,
they remain strong in their faith.

"I don't think it's dangerous. It's the word of God. We've
always said it's a good way to live by and it's a good way to die
by," he said.

Jamie Coots appeared in a National Geographic television show
titled ‘Snake Salvation’ about preachers, who defy the law and
perform snake handling sermons. The dangerous practice, which is
based on Bible passages referring to apostles’ immunity to snake
bites, is illegal in most places.

During the two decades of religious snake handling, Coots
sustained nine snakebites, one of which cost him his finger.

"We use [the snakes] in our religious ceremonies and I
believe as for me, if I don't have them there to use I'm not
obeying the word of God," the pastor said in an earlier 6
News interview.

The preacher pledged that he would quit his church if he ever
chose to be treated for venom.

His devotion sometimes put Coots at odds with the law. A year ago
he pleaded guilty to violating Tennessee's exotic animal
regulations and surrendered his vipers as part of a plea deal.

In 1995, a 28-year-parishioner died two days after being bitten
at Coots’ church by a timber rattlesnake. An attorney wanted to
prosecute him under a 1942 law forbidding the display of snakes
in religious services, but the judged refused to sign the
criminal complaint, saying that a trial would not stop snake
handling.

The church where Coots preached was founded around 100 years ago
by his grandfather. He had been a pastor th